Toronto

If you are looking for character, why not try The Ivy at Verity boutique hotel, a converted 1850s chocolate factory in the Queen Street East District, (111 Queen St E D). Prime location for the CN Tower is the Renaissance Toronto Downtown Hotel (1 Blue Jays Way), that was built into the Rogers Centre baseball stadium. For views of the harbour, try the Radisson Admiral Hotel (249 Queens Quay W). For a bit of luxury there is the Asian-inspired Shangri-La Hotel (188 University Ave), located close to the Art Gallery of Ontario.

Toronto is emerging as a major style destination, with eight shopping malls to choose from, why not try the iconic Toronto Eaton Centre - home to 230 retailers and the famous Canada Geese sculpture. For high end shopping try the Bloor-Yorkville shopping district, a haven for those with sophisticated tastes and deep pockets. Cutting edge boutiques can be sourced in the Art and Design District (Queen West). Check out the Distillery District in Old Town Toronto - from cobblestone streets to industrial-era buildings, it’s a premiere shopping and cultural destination.

Try out the highly-recommended Richmond Station, a bustling restaurant in downtown Toronto (1 Richmond St W). If ice cream’s your thing why not try some Asian-inspired ice creams at Kekou Gelato House (13 Baldwin Street). Looking to eat with views of Toronto, then Scaramouche Restaurant providing sophisticated French haute cuisine is worth a visit.  For a quick bite, check out Banh Mi Boys (392 Queen St W), serving Asian-inspired subs, sandwiches, tacos and steamed buns in a snug and lively location. Love coffee, then try out Dark Horse Espresso (215 Spading Ave).

April

If you like music, then the Canadian Music Fest takes place this month, host to 1,000 bands at more than 60 live music venues in downtown Toronto.

May

Check out the month-long Scotiabank Contact Photography Festival, hosting over 1000 local and international artists at over 200 venues around the city.

June

Every June, Toronto transforms theatres, parks and public spaces across the city with the Luminato Festival, creating space for artists to play, create and combine ideas.

Like food, then the global food festival, Taste of Toronto takes place this month, hosted at the beautiful Fort York National Historic Site.